Book 13: Chapter 24: The Worst Enemy

Volume 13 Chapter 24 - The Worst Enemy

The Luoyang Sword Family, the Inner Courtyard.

A pavilion located in the inner garden.

“Would you like another cup of cold tea?”

Despite the question from the Inner Courtyard Protocol Secretary the Third Young Master's faction.

Elder Namgung, Namgung Hyeok-cheon, who was the head within that faction, remained silent with an unusually stiff expression.

“…….”

Instead one of Namgung Hyeok-cheon's close associate elders waved his hand.

“…That will do.”

And then they kept their mouths tightly shut.

“…….”

“…….”

If it had been their usual selves they would have feasted their eyes on the elegant and beautiful maids of the Inner Courtyard walking to and fro but in a situation where defeat was virtually confirmed, starting with Elder Namgung, those who left the Elders' Hall early were in an extremely uncomfortable mood.

'…Yeon So-hyeon.'

In the Elders' Hall, which was practically their own territory, they had ended up allowing the Eldest Young Master to land a surprise blow.

'That young bastard…' to their current selves, there was no way those lowly servants would catch their eyes.

“I am truly sorry to have made you wait so long.”

The Protocol Secretary maintained a polite attitude as if measured with a ruler but that it was merely a formal apology after all, there was no way these elders would not notice.

“Forget it. It is the fault of us elders who came suddenly without an appointment.”

For no reason, one of Namgung Hyeok-cheon's close associate elders spoke like that trying to subtly bring up that they were elders, that was, the old lady who had six gold tassels hanging down from her waist.

“If you wait just a little longer, it will be fine.”

Sixth Rank.

Since the Protocol Secretary did not even pretend to be humbled a look of displeasure flashed across the faces of the elders.

“…It is hot.”

“Because it is summer.”

Unlike when she welcomed the Eldest Young Master in the past, the old lady, the Protocol Secretary replied with an expression leaking coldness.

“Tsk, tsk.”

“It seems the Inner Courtyard is neglectful in managing the summer garden.”

“How about spraying water every hour?”

“We just sprayed it.”

No matter how much the displeased elders subtly revealed their unpleasant feelings not a single needle could pierce the old lady.

Since it was clear as day that they would not even recover their principal if they did more here, one of the elders intervened to cut off the unproductive conversation.

“Enough.”

“Bring more of the cold tea you mentioned earlier.”

“Very well.”

As the old lady vanished, the close associate elders all clicked their tongues inwardly and read Namgung Hyeok-cheon's expression.

“…….”

“…….”

Namgung Hyeok-cheon.

A direct blood relative of the Namgung Clan at the same time, an elder of the Luoyang Sword Family the greatest backer of the Third Young Master, and a giant of the political world who was the head of a massive faction supporting him.

He was a man of power who could be counted on one hand in the entire state of Zhongyuan.

“My, elders…” however to the highest authority of the Inner Courtyard, who was practically the limbs of the Patriarch of the Luoyang Sword Family it held little meaning, the Protocol Secretary, who had returned, spoke to them with a face that did not look sorry at all.

“…My apologies.”

“Because the day is hot, as it turns out, the cold tea is all gone.”

Saying so, the old lady gracefully gestured to the Inner Courtyard maids who followed her.

“It is not much of a substitute, but,” the old lady wore a gentle smile on her wrinkled face.

“Precious tea leaves have newly arrived from Yunnan this time. Enjoy this instead.”

Along with that, tea cups were placed in front of the elders.

When the Inner Courtyard maids opened the lids of those tea cups, steam rose vigorously.

To none other than themselves there was no way the elders of the Luoyang Sword Family would not recognize the blatant intent contained in that act.

“Protocol Secretary…!”

“How dare you…!”

When the furious elders sprang up from their seats, Namgung Hyeok-cheon's heavy voice echoed through the group.

“Stop.”

“But, Elder Namgung…” as one of his close associate elders put on an aggrieved expression while trying to control his anger, Namgung Hyeok-cheon stood up from his seat.

“It seems the other side has finished their business as well.”

Far in the distance, where the gazes of the close associate elders followed his gaze, was the figure of the Medicine King, who had finished his work and prepared to leave, and the old monster of the Luoyang Sword Family whom Namgung Hyeok-cheon and his close associate elders were waiting for, the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard, was there.

“I will drop by once again late in the evening.”

“Then we look forward to it, Elder Medicine King.”

“…Ahem.”

Roughly brushing his robes and adjusting his attire, an elder coughed and spoke.

“Well then, let us enter now.”

“I am sorry, but…” however, the Protocol Secretary blocked their path.

“What?”

“What else is left?”

To them who asked bluntly, the Protocol Secretary who blocked their path spoke in a firm tone.

“The only one whom the Chief Manager said he would meet is Elder Namgung here.”

“……!”

Before the excited close associate elders could open their mouths, Namgung Hyeok-cheon stepped forward.

“Lead the way.”

* * *

Office of the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard.

*Snip, snip.* holding obsidian shears, the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard opened his mouth while delicately trimming a bonsai with his wrinkled hands.

“I heard there was a riot in the Elders' Hall today.”

The old man spoke like a monologue without even turning his gaze, to Namgung Hyeok-cheon who was sitting silently behind him.

“I heard you left the Elders' Hall early before the results came out.”

*Snip, snip.* even at the sharp words, Namgung Hyeok-cheon's expression did not change.

“It seems you have the luxury to wander around outside without cleaning up.”

He only opened his mouth after enjoying a sip of the boiling hot tea placed in front of him.

“…Did you know, Chief Manager?”

“What are you referring to?”

*Snip, snip.* amidst the echoing sound of the shears, Namgung Hyeok-cheon asked again.

“That the Eldest Young Master would shake the Elders' Hall.”

Setting down the tea cup somewhat roughly, Namgung Hyeok-cheon stared fiercely at the old man's bent back.

“Assuming that you knew that intention in advance,” his voice grew a level heavier.

“It would explain why you did not even show your face at the Elders' Hall today, but…” the sound of the shears stopped for a moment.

“…….”

“…I did not know.”

“Then why—” the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard cut off Namgung Hyeok-cheon who was trying to ask again.

“But I did hear the news that the Eldest Young Master, who visited the Sword Family Bank, was heading toward the Elders' Hall.”

*Snip, snip.* along with the Chief Manager's voice, the sound of the shears resumed.

“This old man has no hobby of enjoying defeat, so instead of going to the Elders' Hall, I merely decided to handle busy matters.”

“Those words mean…” Namgung Hyeok-cheon's half-white eyebrows twitched.

“You already knew we would lose the moment the Eldest Young Master set foot in the Elders' Hall?”

The sound of the shears stopped, and the sound of the Chief Manager clicking his tongue was heard.

“After seeing the Second Young Master's side get hit like that. And after being hit like that today in the Elders' Hall, which was practically your own territory…” the Chief Manager turned his head, looked at Namgung Hyeok-cheon, and said, Namgung Hyeok-cheon replied immediately.

“Do you still not know the Eldest Young Master?”

“I also know by now that the Eldest Young Master's wisdom is not lacking to be called divine calculation.”

The Chief Manager asked again.

“Do you know that the Eldest Young Master's faction officially revealed itself immediately after you left the Elders' Hall?”

“I received all reports. But,” after showing immediate agreement, Namgung Hyeok-cheon shook his head.

“Even so, they are mostly rookies or those who were outsiders in the Elders' Hall.”

Recalling the list, he continued.

“Except for the Deputy Lord of the Elders' Hall and Elder Yeom, there is no one particularly great even if you look at their faces.”

Based on the additional information and judgment he obtained in that short interval he coolly diagnosed the situation.

“Are you saying there are as many as three tenths of idealists who would scream for reform in the Elders' Hall of the Main Family by sacrificing themselves?”

On his face a sneer appeared.

“There is no way that could be the case, is there?”

“…That is true.”

At least on that part the Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard also agreed.

If there were as many as three tenths of such people, the Luoyang Sword Family would not have been ruined like this.

“However.”

The Chief Manager set down his shears and spoke.

“Elder Namgung. No matter how much of a rabble they are, their votes are also one vote, the same as ours.”

“It does not matter.”

To that testing tone, Namgung Hyeok-cheon spoke in a firm voice.

“Except for the idealists who will only be a handful, the rest are those who want to avoid their cold treatment by receiving at least some crumbs falling from the Eldest Young Master. Therefore…” he raised his calloused hand and drew a line in the air.

“Once they realize they cannot get any crumbs, let alone a piece of bread from the Eldest Young Master—” the Chief Manager picked up his words.

“All of them will fall away?”

“That is correct.”

Toward Namgung Hyeok-cheon who nodded firmly, the Chief Manager opened his mouth again and summarized his words.

“In any case, what the Eldest Young Master can provide right now is not the present, but only promises of a sweet future…” the Chief Manager drank the cold tea in front of him and continued.

“So we only need to make them realize that it was nothing but an illusion?”

“That is so.”

“Therefore, you want to join forces with this old man to choke the Eldest Young Master together?”

“Precisely.”

A silence flowed for a moment, then, at the sight of the Chief Manager shaking his body and laughing, Namgung Hyeok-cheon revealed a flustered look for the first time.

“…Heh, hehehe.”

“Chief Manager…?”

“Hahahaha.”

“Look at this.”

Instead of replying immediately, the Chief Manager took out a document and placed it on the table.

“This is…” scanning the document for a moment, Namgung Hyeok-cheon asked the Chief Manager with a look of incomprehension.

“Is this not the list of the elders of the Eldest Young Master's faction? It is the same list I secured, but…?”

The Chief Manager pointed along the document.

“These are, as you know, elders based in Yunnan Province.”

“That is so, but what does that—” cutting off his words, the Chief Manager gave the answer.

“They say the Eldest Young Master has already arranged for them to participate in the business of the Dali Duan Family, the ruler of Yunnan.”

“……!”

“It is not a matter of crumbs, but rather stuffing a whole loaf of bread into their mouths.”

“How—?”

“And it is not just them.”

His wrinkled hand pointed down the list.

“Starting from Yunnan, passing through Sichuan, through Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, and all the way to Shanghai.”

Raising his eyes to look at Namgung Hyeok-cheon, the Chief Manager's eyes gleamed eerily.

“They say the Eldest Young Master has already given sufficient benefits to his elders based in these regions.”

Even some of the regions mentioned by the Chief Manager were the territory of Evil Tyrant Heaven.

To the Eldest Young Master, who had not been out of seclusion for long was that a possible story?

“I heard it also has to do with Sword Family Construction, though this old man does not have the details yet.”

“Sword Family Construction…?”

Unable to hide his bewilderment, Namgung Hyeok-cheon shook his head and hastily pointed to the rest of the list.

“Th-then do these not still remain? These are people based in Luoyang or the Imperial Capital—” in an instant, to Namgung Hyeok-cheon who was speechless, the Chief Manager counted them one by one on his fingers and retraced them.

“They say the Eldest Young Master has seized the decision-making authority for the next Governor of Luoyang.”

“……!”

“And in the Imperial Capital, they say he has already secured more than enough projects for them.”

“Yunnan, and the broad Jiangnan region. Sword Family Construction. The decision-making authority for the next Governor of Luoyang. And the Imperial Capital.”

Staring into Namgung Hyeok-cheon's eyes, the Chief Manager asked pressingly.

“Do you still not know?”

What was it that penetrated all those matters?

For a moment the movement of Namgung Hyeok-cheon's pupils, which were shaking as if an earthquake had occurred, stopped.

“…Could it be. The Yangtze River Waterway Expansion and Maintenance Project?”

He realized.

“No, no! There is no way.”

But he immediately shook his head and denied it.

“To distribute benefits to this extent, acting as a mediator for the project is not enough!”

“Indeed.”

“Then, does that mean by any chance…?!”

At the absurd conclusion that had to be reached, the wrinkles around Namgung Hyeok-cheon's eyes trembled without his knowledge.

“…No way.”

“In that project, it was not that the Emperor was behind the Eldest Young Master—” in an instant, ten thousand thoughts flashed through Namgung Hyeok-cheon's mind, but not a single one was properly organized to come out of his mouth.

“—It was that the Eldest Young Master was behind the Emperor.”

“…….”

“…….”

Taking his eyes off his confusion-filled eyes, the Chief Manager slowly leaned back in his chair and suddenly brought up another story.

“You all. The aim of the Third Young Master's faction must be the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering in autumn, correct?”

“…I do not know what you mean.”

Even in that baffling situation, Namgung Hyeok-cheon hid his inner thoughts.

To him, the Chief Manager spoke in a tone that showed he knew everything.

“I heard the Third Young Master crossed the wall and reached the boundary not long ago.”

Namgung Hyeok-cheon chose to keep his mouth shut instead of replying.

“…….”

“A master at only sixteen years of age. That was something impossible even for the Second Young Lady, who was famous as a genius, the Seamless Heavenly Robe.”

The Chief Manager slowly continued.

“Doubtless, if he makes his debut at the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering in autumn, it would be a shock that would shake the entire Zhongyuan nation, going beyond the Main Family.”

“…….”

“But…” looking at Namgung Hyeok-cheon who kept his mouth tightly shut in a line, the Chief Manager asked.

“Seeing the level of vigilance you hold toward the Eldest Young Master and the extent of your preparations,” a gleam of mockery flashed in the Chief Manager's deep eyes.

“It seems you won't even be able to hold out until autumn.”

The old man clicked his tongue quietly.

*Grit.* sparks flew in Namgung Hyeok-cheon's eyes as he ground his teeth.

“Even now—” the Chief Manager handed Namgung Hyeok-cheon the note he had received just before this meeting.

“While you are saying that, you have already fallen one step further behind.”

“Just a moment ago. They say the Eldest Young Master showcased the Patriarch's signature unique skill, 'Life Ending,' in the Elders' Hall.”

“……!!”

How could a direct descendant of the Namgung Clan not know that nightmare-like stance?

“The Patriarch's signature martial art is the secret of secrets that not a single master of the Main Family could implement.”

Staring into Namgung Hyeok-cheon's eyes which were widened to the point of tearing, the Chief Manager drove the final nail in as if gouging him.

“It seems the shock the Third Young Master should have caused in autumn has already been taken by the Eldest Young Master.”